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In this interview, DOST-ASTI's Solutions and Services Engineering Division (SSED) Chief Engr. Alvin Retamar talked about the Hydrometeorological Devices and Early Warning Systems developed by the institute and its benefits in aiding real time disaster mitigation efforts.

"Mga devices po ito na dinevelop ng DOST-ASTI na nagme-measure ng iba't ibang parameters na related sa tubig o sa pag-ulan," (These hydrometeorological devices developed by the DOST-ASTI to measure various parameters related to water levels or rain) says Engr. Retamar. During the interview, he delved into the following devices and warning systems:

• Automated Weather Stations which measure air humidity; wind speed; wind direction; solar radiation; and rain amoun
• Automated Rain Gauges which measure rain and air parameters
• Water Level Monitoring Stations which measure the water level in rivers and other waterways
• Flood Early Monitoring Stations which are used for alerting communities during flooding. It has four (4) warning levels depending on the river capacity (Alarm, Alert, Critical, Recession)

"Yan ang mga sensors na dinesign ng DOST-ASTI, and mina-manage ng mga regional offices. Pero ang mga data na nakukuha diyan ay ipinapadala sa DOST-PAGASA at sila ang gumagamit ng data sa kanilang mga forecasting," (Those sensors are designed by the DOST-ASTI and are currently being used by our regional offices. The data gathered by these sensors, in turn, is transmitted to the DOST-PAGASA for use in their forecasting) adds DOST-MIMAROPA Regional Director Josefina P. Abilay.

Historical and near-real time raw weather data gathered by these devices may be accessed through the Philsensors website at https://philsensors.asti.dost.gov.ph/

Together with Engr. Retamar is DOST-PHIVOLCS Supervising SRS Mabelline Cahulogan and DOST-PAGASA Hydro-Meterology Division Chief Roy Badilla.

To know more about DOST-ASTI's Hydrometeorological Devices, Early Warning Systems, and other projects, visit https://asti.dost.gov.ph/projects/